James stuart wearn



l. S. WEARN.

INDOOR GAME 0F SKILL.

APvucArloN FILED APR.20.191B.

Patented Aug. 26, 1919'.

ATT/Y.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

JAMES STUART WEARN, 0F LINWOOD, OHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND.

INDOOR GAME OF SKILL.

' Application inea April 2o,

To all whom t may Concern.'

Be it known that I, JAMES STUART VEARN, a subject ofthe King of .GreatBritain, residing at 11 Cuba street, Linwood, Christchurch, in theDominion of New Zealand, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Indoor Games of Skill, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to an indoor game of skill, its object being toprovide a game that may not only be played by any person, f

but which will also be scientific and provide ample scope for skill.

In order that the nature of the invention may be fully understood,reference will now be made to `the accompanying sheet of drawings inwhich Figure lis a plan view of the apparatus showing the arrangement ofthe various parts and in which by way of illustration are indicated indotted lines, certain possible strokes in the game, and

Fig'. 2- is a cross-section through the line A--B Fig. 1.

The apparatus comprises a board or tabletop l of convenient size whichis preferably covered with baize or similar material. Near one end ofthe table l is secured a pair of pins or studs 2 `to each of which isattached a circular rubber or other resilient disk 3 adapted to providea circular cushion surface or round buffer for the ball which is used inthe game to strike against. In construction, each of the studs 2 may beconveniently formed at a height approximating to the center of the ball,with a circumferential groove 4 adapted to receive the rubber 3 inannular pad or ring form so as to be capable of being sprung into place,as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. These circular cushions, as they willbe termed 3, are disposed in line with one another at right angles tothe length of the table at suitable distances apart, while arranged incircular form or fan-wise around the table at a common radius from acenter mid-way between the said circular cushions, and at equalintervals apart are a` number of small pegs or studs 5, securely fixedto the surface of the table l.

These studs which are preferably provided with resilient cushions 6similar to the cushions 3, are arranged to extend in the manner alreadyexplained. around approximately three quarters of a circle so as toprovide an interval or clear space on the table immedi- Specication ofLetters Patent.

Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

1918. Serial No. 229,669.

ately in front of the circular cushions 3 and so provide a free passagefor the ball.

Between each two of the pegs 5 and in line therewith is placed a pin 8similar to those employed in skittles, but somewhat smaller, each pinbeing numbered according to its position in relation to the cushions 3.

The game itself consists in placing a ball 7 which is preferably abagatelle or billiard ball, at the far end of the table l and, by meansof a cue, to direct such ball against one of the circular cushions 3 andstrike it at such an angle that it will rebound or carom on to any ofthe pins 8, so knocking the latter down. The ball may also be directedso Vas to carom olf one of the fixed pegs 5 and from thence to perform asecond carom off one or other of the circular cushions 3 to theparticular pin 8 the player desires to knock down. Various strokes ofthis kind are indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l and from which it willbe seen that the game affords great scope for the exercise of skill andjudgment on the part of the players.

It will be understood that, if only one cushion 3 were employed and thatplaced in true central relation to the pins` 6 it would be practicallyimpossible to cause the ball to carom oli' such cushion 3 on to a pinimmediately in rear of it. By having two cushions,r

however, placed a short distance apart it would be possible to carom offeither one or other of such cushions on to any: pin on the board, themore diiiicult ones to knock over being given a higher scoring valuethan the easier ones.

Should it be so desired, however, but a single cushion may be employedas the more obscure points on the board may be reached by causing theball to perform a second carom olf one or other of the pegs 5.

To prevent the ball from rolling olf the table surface, an upwardlyextending flange 9 may be arranged to extend around the edge of suchtable and such flange may be positioned at a sufficient distance fromthe pegs `5 and pins 8 as to permit a free run for the ball which uponreaching the flange will simply follow the latter until coming to rest.If desired, in cases where a special table is employed, suitableopenings or traps may be provided in this dead space so as to allow theball to fall therethrough on to an inclined chute by. means of which itwill be returned to the player in a manner similar tothat employed inskittles. Suitable rules may be devised to adapt the game for use of aperson of any age.

I claim:-

l. In combination, a game board, fixed studs upstanding from said board,an areuate series of fixed pins partially surrounding said studs, andmovable pins between said pins.

In combination, a game board, an arcuate series of fixed pegs npstandingfrom said board, fixed studs arranged eceentrically of said pegs, andmovable pins between said pegs.

3. In combination, a game board, a series of fixed pegs and movable pinsarranged alternately in the form of a split annnlus, and iXed studswithin said series of pins and pegs.

el. In combination, a game board, an arouate series of fixed pegsupstan'ding from said board, fixed studs arranged eeeentrieally of saidpegs, movable pins between said pegs7 said studs and pegs being formedwith annular grooves, and cushioning members mounted in said grooves.

In witness whereof I llave hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

JAMES STUART IVEARN.

Witnesses CYRIL CARLYN Conen'r, PMDNEY JAMES 'fulmini/ns.

Copies of this patent may b'e obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

